How Nonprofit Consulting Differs Outside the United States

By Penelope Cagney

When I was in Bologna, Italy, in May, making a presentation at the Festival of Fundraising, I was reminded of two things: First, consulting is less accepted in other parts of the world than it is in the United States. My Italian colleagues told me they were not easily accepted as an important tool for organizational progress. And, second, for the most part consultants in Italy must have management backgrounds, in contrast to the United States, where it is not necessary for those who restrict their practice to fundraising, for example.

Audience members welcomed the opportunity to share their experiences and to learn about what is going on elsewhere.

Have you had a chance to meet with your counterparts in other areas of the world? Do you seek out chances to talk to other nonprofit consultants when you travel, to compare notes? What have you discovered about consulting in other countries?